Bill > HB5549

This bill updates regulations for on-site sewage disposal systems in Texas, making several key changes to improve oversight and management. The bill expands the state's policy to include pumping and maintenance of sewage systems, allows the commission to impose administrative penalties against authorized agents who do not enforce minimum requirements, and increases the administrative penalty for system owners from $100 to $500. For single-family residences, the bill modifies maintenance contract requirements, allowing owners to maintain their own systems in certain counties, but requiring those with surface disposal systems to have an electronic monitoring and alarm system. The bill also increases the permit application fee from $10 to $30, expands licensing requirements for people working on sewage systems to include pumping and accessing systems, and adds provisions for disinfection of surface spray disposal systems during routine maintenance. Additionally, the bill clarifies definitions of nuisance and owner, gives the commission more authority over larger sewage disposal systems, and removes some previous performance bond requirements. These changes aim to enhance public health protection, improve system management, and provide more flexible oversight of on-site sewage disposal systems.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB5549